Repairs to worn floorboards

[kristyb]

Hi, I am hoping for some advice.

I am currenlty living in a rental property with polished floorboards. There is a big patch that has become worn and dull looking and the polish is starting to flake away. This is where we have our computer chair (obviously we kept it there too long without a mat).

Any ideas how we can fix this?

Thanks!!

[Larry McCully]

Yep ,go rent another place.
You proberly could get a pro in to sand back the room and recoat it .If it is a standard room it will cost about 400 bucks or you could have a go at repairing it yourself by sanding it back with a orbital sander and then apply 3 coats over the sanded portion and one over the entire floor of the room. After each coat lightly sand with 320 grit and vacumm up all dust. on the final coat, lightly sand the entire floor with 320grit and vacum and then coat.
Then go buy a plastic floor protector from a office stationers.

[Extracare]

I'd say that's general wear and tear. Don't let your landlord make you take any blame.

He should have provided a chair mat if he wanted to keep his floor pristine.

[Ausyuppy]

Extracare,
By what you are saying, Im guessing that if there are kids living in my rental house, I had better provide the tenants with safety gates so the kids dont fall down the stairs. What a rediculous statement. Im glad your not renting my house.

Kristy,
Depending on the realestate agent thinks is fair wear and tear will decide on whether you should fix it or not. Its good to see that you are willing to repair the damage. If I were you, I would just do what Larry says. Im no expert on sanding wooden floors, but at least you would have made the effort.

Cheers
Steve

EDIT: Edited thread, Extracare is a home owner

[silentC]

I wouldn't touch it because any repairs you make will be obvious and you're basically admitting it's your responsibility.

Landlords can't expect a house that has been lived in for any period of time to be in the same condition it was in before you moved in. I moved into a flat years ago that had brand new carpet and fresh paint. I lived there for 2 years and naturally when I moved out there were some marks on the wall and stains on the carpet. I paid for the carpets to be cleaned (this is more or less expected and often a condition in the lease) but there was no way I was paying for it to be painted. They tried it on but had to accept that it's reasonable wear and tear.

Same goes for the floor. They can't expect a polished floor to stay in pristine condition. If you try and fix it you may stuff it and THEN you will be expected to pay to have it repaired.

BTW Ausyuppy, yes you are responsible for making sure your house is safe to a certain degree and you could be found liable if something happened. Safety gates at the top of the stairs is a bit over the top but don't assume you have no responsibility.

[snowyskiesau]

You'd be surprised what tenants expect a landlord to do.
I have an investment property in country NSW. It has a large garden that was one of the reasons the tenants took the house. After 2 years they want me to pay for some one to look after the garden as it's too big!

[silentC]

You'd be surprised what tenants expect a landlord to do

Why not? They're the ones making all the money!!

[Ausyuppy]

BTW Ausyuppy, yes you are responsible for making sure your house is safe to a certain degree and you could be found liable if something happened. Safety gates at the top of the stairs is a bit over the top but don't assume you have no responsibility.

SilentC,
I was trying to find an analogy that fit. I agree that your house should be safe, Ive just organised to have smoke detectors fitted to the house which havnt been fitted (Just bought the house). However to try and anticipate damage like making sure a floor mat is supplied to the tenants is absurd.
Cheers
Steve

[silentC]

I agree but it's also absurd to expect a tenant to leave the house in the same perfect condition it was in when they moved in. I think if it's damage caused by the same sort of actions and activities that the landlord would carry out in their own house, then it should be acceptable in the rental property.

Not saying tenants should be able to trash the joint. But there seems to be an expectation with some landlords that things like this should automatically be fixed up at the tenant's expense. At the end of the day, this is why we have rental bonds and mediation. My advice to kristyb is to leave it and let the landlord decide if they want to pursue it.

[Ausyuppy]

Agree with you completely. I wouldnt expect the house to be pristine as Ive rented plenty of houses and you have to expect fair wear and tear.

Sorry to hijack the thread

IF your not sure speak to the property manager. They will be the ones who know best (most of the time )

Steve